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Time Recording: Everything You Need to Know

Timesheets. A necessary evil for the seasoned lawyer and a daunting prospect for a future trainee. You may not have realised it yet but once you’re a solicitor in private practice, you will most probably have to account for all of your time, in six-minute units.

That’s right. That 18-minute phone call to the Land Registry – three units, 24 minutes drafting an email to your client – four units, an hour’s research on the Companies House website – 10 units. For anything in between, you’ll probably be asked to round it up.

In some firms, you might even have targets as a trainee. For example, you might have to record seven hours (70 units) of time in total per day, five hours (50 units) of which will have to be billable to a client.

Whilst the logic behind time-recording is simple – so that accurate bills can be produced for clients – there’s no doubt that it can be a confusing concept to get your head around when you’re starting out in a law firm.

There’ll likely be one code for the client, another for the particular matter you’re working on and a whole host of other codes you could use for the specific task you have been doing, from drafting to travelling to court to attending a client meeting. There may also be non-billable codes for work such as research or internal marketing activities.

To complicate matters, it’ll take you longer than usual to do everything as a fresh-faced trainee. It might take you two hours to draft that long email reply, but can you realistically charge that much to the client when the email only ends up being a couple of paragraphs long?

You’ll have to use your common sense here and decide what you think is a reasonable amount of time to record. Always discuss this with your supervisor in advance to avoid any confusion on billing day.

As a student, you can make the transition easier by being organised with your time now. This could mean planning that extended essay in advance or making a revision timetable for your summer exams. All of these things will help you start being more aware of how you manage your time.

And when you do start your training contract, remember to record your time as you’re going along. Nobody wants to be stuck in the office on the Friday night before the billing deadline racking their brains to remember what they were doing at 3pm on a Tuesday three weeks ago.

Got any questions about time recording? Get in touch.

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How to Deal with Rejection

If you’ve sent off a bunch of applications over the last couple of months, give yourself a pat on the back. If you’re about to start applying (we’re looking at you, barristers), good luck!

As you wait to hear the outcome of any application, it’s common to feel scared that lots of rejections are coming your way.

This blog’s all about dealing with rejection and turning it into something positive, so read on.

To put it bluntly….

Law firms receive anything from a few hundred to a few thousand applications each year for training contracts and vacation schemes.  

Some firms will see you as a good match for them, whereas others won’t, which means that you’ll most likely have a few ‘nos’ coming your way. And that’s why you need to get comfortable with the idea of rejection.  

Here are some tips to help you cope with vacation scheme rejection and pick yourself back up again. 

It’s not personal 

As mentioned, all law firms (big and small) get inundated with applications. Whether you’re rejected at application or interview stage, the chances are it’s not because you did anything wrong.  

What’s more likely is that there was someone more suited to the role than you. This could be because they had some previous legal experience, or just because they performed particularly well at an assessment centre. 

Sometimes it’s just sheer luck, and had you applied in a different year you might have been successful.  

The moral of the story is that there are so many different reasons why you might have been rejected, lots of which you can’t control. So don’t take it personally.  

Ask for feedback 

This is hands down the best way to make your application form or interview technique better going forward. 

It’s rare for law firms to give feedback on application forms (because of the volume, as mentioned above), but most will give you feedback after an interview or assessment centre.  

Graduate recruitment teams will usually ask everyone involved in the process, from the partner who interviewed you, to the trainee who showed you around at lunchtime, for their comments and observations. 

Study the feedback; is there something you can work on? If you have feedback from multiple firms, try and find a common theme. Take time to reflect and work on any pain points. Then use everything you’ve learnt in your next interview. 

Bear in mind that current trainees at top law firms only got to where they are now through feedback they got after failed applications and interviews. Don’t forget that. 

Take a breather 

If the timescale allows, take a break. Instead of jumping straight back into applications whilst you’re still feeling angry, upset or dejected, take some time out. 

It’s OK to feel sorry for yourself but don’t let it go on for too long!  

Give yourself a day’s break. Put away your laptop and do something nice, like go for a coffee, a walk, or meet up with a friend.  

Start afresh the next day; you’ll find that you approach the task in hand with a much more positive mindset. 

Lean on friends and family 

Don’t keep your feelings to yourself. Speak to friends and family about how you’re feeling. It’s not silly to feel upset about rejection; after all, this is your future career! And a problem shared is a problem halved as they say.  

Go one step further and get your network involved in the process – ask them to look over your applications or ask them to do interview practice with you. It’ll make the experience less lonely, and you might get some useful feedback along the way.  

Alternatives

Are there any other practical steps you could take to bolster your application? 

If you’ve been applying for vacation schemes, training contracts or pupillages for a while but haven’t been successful yet, it might be worth looking at becoming a paralegal, or taking up another administrative role at a law firm. 

Working at a law firm in any capacity can be a great way to drum up your experience, not to mention your confidence. You’ll get valuable work experience whilst learning about how a law firm works.  

Another plus point is that you can get to know the culture of a firm. 

If getting another job isn’t an option for you, you could look into volunteering at your local legal centre or Citizens Advice Bureau. 

Work experience, paid or voluntary, looks good on your CV, and demonstrates your commitment to the legal industry. 

 

Do you have any tips you’d like to share for dealing with rejection? Get in touch. 

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BLACKSTONE CHAMBERS PUPILLAGE WEBINAR – WEDNESDAY 17 JANUARY 2024

Join Blackstone Chambers for their third and final pupillage webinar on Wednesday, 17th January 2024 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm.

5.00pm – Introduction & Recruitment Process – Jessica Boyd KC, Member of Pupillage Committee & Barrister

5.10pm – Life as a pupil – Rowan Stennett, New Tenant

5.20pm – Life as a barrister – Will Bordell, Junior Barrister

5.30pm – Q&A session – Jessica Boyd KC, Rowan Stennett & Will Bordell

Kindly complete the registration for the webinar here, and upon registration, you will receive a Zoom link.

The data collected at webinar registration will be used to improve future accessibility for a wider range of universities, students and other potential applicants. Your data will be treated with the highest confidentiality and deleted when no longer needed for the intended processing purpose.

If you have any questions, please contact pupillage@blackstonechambers.com.

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Blackstone Chambers Pupillage Webinar – Tuesday 19 December 2023

Join Blackstone Chambers for their second free pupillage webinar on Tuesday, 19th December 2023 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm.

5.00pm – Introduction & Recruitment Process – Diya Sen Gupta KC, Member of Pupillage Committee & Barrister
5.10pm – Life as a pupil – Rhys Jones, New Tenant
5.20pm – Life as a barrister – George Molyneaux, Junior Barrister
5.30pm – Q&A session – Diya Sen Gupta KC, Rhys Jones & George Molyneaux

Kindly complete the registration for the webinar here, and upon registration, you will receive a Zoom link.

The data collected at webinar registration will be used to improve future accessibility for a wider range of universities, students and other potential applicants. Your data will be treated with the highest confidentiality and deleted when no longer needed for the intended processing purpose.

If you have any questions, please contact pupillage@blackstonechambers.com.

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Blackstone Chambers Pupillage Webinar – Thursday 23 November

Join Blackstone Chambers for a free pupillage webinar.

You’ll listen to insights from senior barristers and former pupils about various aspects of pupillage, ranging from the application process, through mini-pupillage, interviews and the training itself, to establishing yourself in practice and experiencing life as a barrister.

Details:

Thursday, 23rd November 2023

5:00pm – 6:00pm

5.00pm – Introduction & Recruitment Process – Gemma White KC, Head of Pupillage Committee & Barrister
5.10pm – Life as a pupil – Aislinn Kelly-Lyth, New Tenant
5.20pm – Life as a barrister – Ajay Ratan, Junior Barrister
5.30pm – Q&A session – Gemma White KC, Aislinn Kelly-Lyth & Ajay Ratan

For more information and to sign up click here.

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Demystifying mini-pupillages

Malcolm Glover, law student, president of Roehampton University Law Society, and aspiring barrister explains what a mini-pupillage involves and how to get the most out of the experience.

The allure of the Bar has caught your eye and has led you to seek a mini-pupillage.

A mini-pupillage usually involves directly reporting into a barrister and could include observing hearings in court, reading relevant paperwork (e.g. bundles, draft skeleton arguments and brief summaries), and demonstrating relevant legal research on a particular area of law your supervising practitioner specialises in.  

Undertaking a mini-pupillage helps aspiring barristers in determining whether a career at the Bar is right for them. You‘ll be able to widen and diversify your network by forming professional relationships with experienced and junior practitioners alike.  

Depending on the type of set you complete your mini–pupillage at, you may be ‘assessed’, with constructive feedback provided on a specific task performed in written or oral advocacy.  

Completing a mini-pupillage demonstrates a level of assertiveness and dedication to pursuing a career at the Bar, which other experiences cannot substitute.  

Who Can Apply for mini-pupillage? 

Golden tickets to complete a mini-pupillage before university are scarce, with competition now more fierce than ever.  

Due to the sheer amount of interest, generally chambers are interested in taking on mini pupils who are: 

  • Studying law at university; 
  • Studying for a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL); 
  • Studying the Bar Practice Course (BPC); or 
  • Postgraduates 

It’s imperative to stay organised and updated with chambers websites as eligibility, deadlines and the application processes can differ from chambers to chambers.  

An Excel spreadsheet taking note of all deadlines with a short, focused list of chambers of interest is a great starting point in helping you stay on top of application deadlines! 

What can you expect? 

The exact structure of any mini–pupillage is difficult to foresee, as it‘s dictated by the caseload or area of law of the barrister you’re shadowing. If they’re busy, your tasks may be diverse and exciting. Alternatively, if they’re having a quieter period, it may be more challenging to find tasks you can get stuck in. 

Some chambers may expect you to undertake a short assessment at the end of your mini-pupillage as a summary test of what you have learnt. Other sets may simply ask for feedback. 

How many mini-pupillages should I complete?  

There is no magic number. The real question is ‘how many evidential mini-pupillages should I put on my future Pupillage Gateway application?’  

Hypothetically, you may seek a future pupillage in construction law. One Mini Pupillage in Construction law might be more beneficial than five in areas of law which are not relevant to the area you wish to practice in as a future pupil.  

Be strategic and open minded in your approach, while resisting the urge to complete all your mini-pupillages in one practice area.  

It doesn’t necessarily matter where you do your mini-pupillage; what matters is that you’ve been gaining experience. Most chambers won’t expect you to have completed a mini-pupillage at their set when you apply for pupillage, as they’re aware that they only have a finite number spaces each year.  

Top Tips! 

Here are some tips to keep in mind:  

Make sure your application explains why you’re interested in visiting a particular set – this will show assertion in understanding the work of the chambers you are applying to.  

Show enthusiasm during your mini-pupillage and re member that 55% communication is nonverbal.  

Be professional at all times – you may come into close contact with clients, clerks and other Barristers while undertaking your mini-pupillage.  

Don’t worry if you have limited legal knowledge – although you won’t be expected to be an expert in the area of law you aspire to practise in, doing some relevant research and reading through a chambers website or will be helpful.  

Ask questions, but at the right time – barristers are notoriously busy, sometimes less is more so make sure to read the room and ask questions at an appropriate time.  

Take notes on your mini-pupillage – these notes will be useful to refer to when asked in the future ‘what exactly did you do on your mini-pupillage?’.  

And finally, be yourself! – there is a good reason why you have been successful in getting a mini-pupillage. There is no need to be anyone apart from yourself.  

By Malcolm Glover

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Allen & Overy suffers ‘data incident’ as ransomware group LockBit claims responsibility

Allen & Overy has confirmed that it has suffered a ‘data incident’. Posts from X user and self-described ‘threat intelligence platform for cybersecurity’ @FalconFeedsio on Wednesday 8 November suggested that cybercriminal group LockBit had targeted the firm, with a threat to release ‘all available data’ by 28 November.

‘We have experienced a data incident impacting a small number of storage servers’, said an A&O spokesperson. ‘Investigations to date have confirmed that data in our core systems, including our email and document management system, has not been affected.

‘The firm continues to operate normally with some disruption arising from steps taken to contain the incident.’

The firm claims that the incident is under control: ‘Our technical response team, working alongside an independent cybersecurity adviser, took immediate action to isolate and contain the incident. Detailed cyber forensic work continues to investigate and remediate the incident.

‘As a matter of priority, we are assessing exactly what data has been impacted, and we are informing affected clients. We appreciate that this is an important matter for our clients, and we take this very seriously. Keeping our clients’ data safe, secure, and confidential is an absolute priority.’

A&O declined to comment further. The firm did not respond to requests to confirm LockBit’s involvement.

In June, GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issued a joint advisory alongside agencies from the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and New Zealand stating that LockBit was ‘almost certainly the most deployed ransomware strain in the UK and that it continues to present the highest ransomware threat to UK organisations.’

LockBit hit Royal Mail with a ransomware attack in January and leaked Royal Mail’s data on 23 February after Royal Mail refused to pay both an initial ransom demand of £66m and a subsequent demand for £47m. The cybercriminal group also announced that it had hit Boeing in late October. Boeing confirmed the cyberattack in early November and was re-added to LockBit’s list of victims on 7 November after disappearing from the list on 30 October, according to FalconFeeds.

The SRA in June 2022 issued a risk outlook report entitled ‘Information security and cybercrime in a new normal’. In the report, it noted that ‘increased dependence on IT’ since the Covid-19 pandemic ‘creates more opportunities for cybercriminals.’

A&O is not the first major firm to suffer from a data breach. DLA Piper was shut down by a cyberattack in 2017. And in June, ransomware group CL0P posted the names of Kirkland & Ellis, K&L Gates, and Proskauer Rose to its leak site, although none of the firms responded to requests for comment.

BCLP, meanwhile, discovered it had been hacked in late February, in a breach that exposed the personal data of more than 50,000 current and former employees of client Mondelēz International. In June, a class action suit was filed against BCLP in the Northern District of Illinois. The case remains ongoing. BCLP did not respond to requests for comment.

‘These [data breaches] are causing a tremendous amount of harm’, said Thomas Zimmerman, an attorney at Chicago-based Zimmerman Law Offices, which is bringing the class action against BCLP. ‘Clients I represent who have had data stolen have dealt with loans being opened up in their names, their credit score hijacked, mortgages opened up in their names for homes. And they’re stuck with it, you can’t change a social security number like you can open a new bank account, people suffer the consequences for years.’

There has never been a data breach group action litigated in an English court. The prospects for bringing such a claim are complicated by the fact that opt-out claims can currently only be brought in England at the Competition Appeals Tribunal (CAT). And many in the market are sceptical that a data breach claim could be adequately formulated as a competition claim.

The A&O data breach was first reported in the Financial Times.

alexander.ryan@legalbusiness.co.uk

bethany.burns@legalease.co.uk

This story first appeared on Legal Business.

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Social media influencers: Social circles

Back in the spring, Legal Business asked whether a professional social media presence is now a ‘must-have’ for the modern lawyer, in a feature which also acknowledged that ‘what is trending one week can be quickly forgotten the next’.

And while the post-Covid return to the office has since gathered pace, lawyers’ love for LinkedIn shows no sign of slowing up. Autumn is of course the season when the platform comes alive with the hum of humbled and delighted lawyers posting their Legal 500 endorsements, a process which is now more compulsory than ever (not least due to the requirement to make your charitable #humblebrag donation to Save The Children – get involved if you haven’t done so yet).

However, at the same time, social media evangelists are also coming to terms with the slow demise of the site formerly known as Twitter, following its questionable rebrand as ‘X’ and Elon Musk’s trollish tinkering with a platform many once viewed as the social media site of choice for forward-thinking lawyers.

With many now falling out of love with that platform, the legal community which once coalesced around Twitter has splintered away, and while LinkedIn has become the default for many, it is perhaps harder than ever before to know where to look online for valuable legal content and community.

So with that in mind, we went back to canvass opinion from some of the people we featured in our earlier article, to ask who they follow online, with the intention of compiling a list of ‘recommended by the recommended’.

Those individuals, who feature in the following pages, are drawn from all corners of the legal profession, from solicitor-apprentices to the new president of the Law Society, and showcase a wide range of approaches to social media success, from podcasts to video, TikToks and technical content delivered with just the right amount of personality.

We’re also shining a spotlight on five lawyers who have made a professional success of social media:

James Bremen, the chair of Quinn Emanuel’s construction and engineering practice, whose LinkedIn ‘explainer’ videos have attracted thousands of views, and were credited for keeping one general counsel sane during the pandemic.

Emma Lilley, UK and Ireland head of legal at HR and payroll company SD Worx, who used her Instagram profile to successfully lobby for the Law Society to hold its first-ever regional admissions ceremony.

Former DWF and DAC Beachcroft barrister Sahar Farooqi, who has built a huge following online which has helped him attract instructions and get involved with mentoring the next generation of lawyers.

Chrissie Wolfe, who has leveraged her social media presence to build a thriving consultancy business since leaving Irwin Mitchell.

Former barristers’ clerk Jeremy Hopkins, whose successful early adoption of Twitter led to media interest, job opportunities and helped him to build one of the most varied CVs in law.

We’re aware that there are plenty of stories of lawyers making a success of social media, so if you have a tale to tell, please get in touch – we’d love to hear more.

This story first appeared on Legal Business.

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Applications, applications, applications

It’s that time again. 

If you’re applying for winter, spring or summer vacation schemes this year, now’s the time to start. Most firms have opened their application windows and are eagerly awaiting your applications. 

Here at Future Lawyers, we definitely recommend applying for vacation schemes; they’re the best way to find out about a law firm, and for them to find out about you. 

You’ll still be under pressure to perform; but you’ll also have the opportunity to prove yourself over the course of one or two weeks, rather than in a stress-inducing hour-long interview. 

Most vacation scheme applications close at the end of January (though deadlines vary so do check). In any case, we recommend starting your research now, especially if you’re planning on doing a few.  

This is where The Legal 500 Future Lawyers vacation scheme deadline table comes in.  

In one handy table, you can see all firms’ deadlines in one place, helping you to keep on top of your research, and making sure you never miss a crucial closing date. 

Have a look for yourself.

Happy applying!